This was the last #1 hit for Elvis during his lifetime. A remixed version of "A Little Less Conversation" hit #1 in the UK in 2002.

Memphis singer Mark James wrote this. He recorded and released his own version, but it didn't go anywhere. Memphis Soul producer Chips Moman brought this to Presley in 1969, and Elvis immediately fell in love with it and decided he could turn it into a hit, even though it had flopped for James.

This was recorded between 4-7 in the morning, during the landmark Memphis session that helped Elvis reclaim his title of "The King."

This was a big comeback song for Elvis. It was seven years since his last #1 hit.

Elvis' publishing company, along with his manager Col. Tom Parker, tried to get their usual cut of the royalties from this and threatened to stop the recording if they didn't. Elvis insisted on recording the song regardless.

This song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

Artists to cover this song include Dwight Yoakam, Waylon Jennings, The Heptones, Candi Staton (#31 UK), B.J. Thomas and even The Fine Young Cannibals, whose 1985 version not only hit #8 in the UK, but was bizarrely referenced on the American TV show Psych, when Shawn tells his partner Gus: "Don't be Fine Young Cannibals cover of 'Suspicious Minds.' We're going to find her."

In the UK, Elvis had a hit with this song three times. First in 1969 when it was originally released, then in 2001 when a live version recorded at The International Hotel, Las Vegas, in August 1970 was issued and went to #15, then in 2007 when it was re-issued to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Elvis' death, going to #11.

Dennis Quaid and Elizabeth Mitchell dance to this in the 2000 sci-fi drama Frequency.

Comments: 44

In reply to Matthew from Toronto, Mark James and Frances Zambon are the same person. Frances Zambon was his birth name, and Mark James is his pen name.Don - Sevierville, Tn

On September 3rd 1969, Elvis' 30th feature film, "The Trouble With Girls"*, opened in theaters across the U.S.A. and Canada...At the time he didn't have a record on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; but four days later on September 7th his 18th and final #1 record, "Suspicious Minds", entered the chart at #77, seven weeks later on October 26th it peaked at #1 {for 1 week} and it stayed on the chart for 15 weeks...* In the movie "The Trouble With Girls", baseball Hall of Famer Duke Snider portrayed a character known as 'The Cranker'.Barry - Sauquoit, Ny

Gerhard from Austria, check out what Bridgett from Ft. Worth wrote. Bridgett, I know you're not lying: Wikipedia has an entry about Mark James, who was born in 1940. He also wrote "You Were Always on My Mind," and won awards for Willy Nelson's cover of it. His song "Sunday Sunrise" was a top ten hit for Brenda Lee in 1973, and Anne Murray covered it in 1975. B.J. Thomas was a childhood friend of Mark's, and "Hooked on a Feeling" is one of Mark's songs that B.J. did. Elvis did some of Mark's other songs, including "Moody Blue," The title cut of Elvis' last studio album.If his record label had promoted his version more, Mark might have had a bigger hit with the original release of "Suspicious Minds."Doug - Bristol, Me

This song was recorded by BJ Thomas as an album cut before Elvis recorded it. Mark James and Thomas were old friends from Houston and James wrote many hits for Thomas. Elvis is credited as recording it first, but that is not correct.Coy - Palestine, Tx

In Australia the last week of December was very lucky for the Beatles...The last week of December 1963 "I Want To Hold Your Hand" was at #1...In 1964 it was "I Feel Fine"...And in 1968 "Hey Jude" was at #1...Then in 1969 they missed by one week; Elvis' "Suspicious Minds" was #1 during the last week of December that year ("Something" was #1 the week before)...The Beatles disbanded in 1970 but during the last week of December 1972 "Imagine" by John Lennon was #1...R.I.P. to John, George, and Elvis.Barry - Sauquoit, Ny

My favourite part of this song has always been the false fadeout at the end, followed by a fade-in. When I first heard that on the radio, I was mesmerized. Lots of songs had false endings: Monday, Monday; Do You Love Me; Good Lovin', etc. But they weren't done like this. Strangely, a lot of CD versions don't contain this feature. By the way, this song is written by Francis Zambon [aka. Mark James], who was also responsible for B.J. Thomas's "Hooked on a Feeling"; the 2 songs are noticeably similar when you hear them back to back.Matthew - Toronto, On

This has always been one of my ALL time favorite songs but lately it also seems o be the theme song to my marriage. Boo. O well. FYC's version is nice but nothing like The King to really drive it home <3Monica - Sa , Tx

Anyone that inspired John Lennon and Paul McCartney has gotta be "The King". This is a top 3 Elvis song for me. You can just hear the anguish and hurt about his cheatin' woman. Easily the best vocals from him in 4 or 5 years. Just the usual superb background vocals and instrument arrangements. Nice , nice song! FYC did a nice version too.Meocyber - Alma, Co

Anyone who actually takes the time to post on here that the 2-3 hit group The Fine Young Cannibals' version of this amazing song is BETTER than the King's version has to just be an Elvis hater...The FYC have NO soul in their music/sound compared to Elvis..especially when the bridge part of the song totally alters the tempo of the song..I love that part and then it goes right back into the driving rhythm again..Only Elvis could do that as flawlessly as he most always does! There will never be another music artist who will be bigger than ElvisJack - Brookline, Ma

Not a big fan of Elvis but have come to appreciate more of his music as I get older; however, this is one that I always have and always will love...best when turned up loud on the car stereo when you're driving by yourself!Camille - Toronto, Oh

My #2 favorite Elvis song (second only to "Burning Love"). Question: who are Elvis's backup singers on the original studio recording? I realize the Sweet Inspirations are backing him up in the live versions, but is this also true of the studio version? Thanks in advance for the info.Christian - San Pedro, Ca

Wedding song? WEDDING SONG?!?!?!!?Johnnys Cousin Steve - Villas, Nj

I get a kick out of people stating emphatically one version is better than another. It's all personal preference.This is a great song, whether it's by Elvis, FYC, or Dwight Yoakum.Phil - Edmonton, Ab

Hey Richard, Anniston, AL....The studio recording has that...so you can find it on any NON-LIVE album. I thought it was 4+ minute time for the song.....if you cant find it....send me an Email @ (bobtraskjr@yahoo.com) , & I'll hook you up!Vingthor - Catskills, Ny

After the studio recording & He started doing it live..He & the band had a hard time with it. They kept going & going...they didnt have a good way to END IT! You can hear on some versions Elvis trying to end & the band already started playing it again.....you hear the band going from full speed to a crawl @ Elvis' extended "Bay-BAy ay ayyyyy".Vingthor - Catskills, Ny

This is my favorite Elvis song. FYC's version is ok. I don't know the other artist's versions.Jennifer Harris - Grand Blanc, Mi

Strange as this may sound...this song always makes me think of me and my mother...sang from me point of view. It's one of my faves by Elvis, btw.Tabitha - Los Angeles, Ca

There was a choice to be made... about who was to re-record the song - Elvis,or BJ Thomas. Elvis needed the hit more... BJ Thomas was busy with "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" 1969Jerry - Houston, Tx

The 45 was actually around 7 minutes long. The chorus was repeated over and over before coming to a slow fade, followed by several seconds of silence after the face, and then slowly faded back in. I wish I could figure out if there was a "hits" album with this long version.Richard - Anniston, Al

My favorite Elvis songCaitlin - Upper Township, Nj

Really.....Elvis Presley was the best PERFORMER in the history of music!!!Prashant - Ktm, Other

Great song. Elvis had such an incredible voice. I don't have much time for a lot of his earlier stuff but this is brilliant. Wish I'd seen him live. He looked like pure sex on stage -- no wonder the chicks went nuts for him.Guy - Wellington, New Zealand

great song great vocal performance by elvis especially in the middle when the music lowers and he sings 'oh let our love survive'. this proves if proof was needed that elvis is one of the greatest singers this world has or ever will hear. GOD BLESS YOU ELVIS YOU'LL NEVER DIE.Jason - Dublin, Ireland

This is in my opinion one of the great pop rock songs in music history.Listen closely and you'll hear a classic melody with a rough edge on the lyrics.I have read that if one song were to be chosen that defines Elvis' career it would be Suspicious Minds,and regardless what others might say,nobody can do it as good as the original.George - Belleville, Nj

The Fine Young Cannibals version was not much better than this, put the bong down bro. Also, get some respect for the classics.Joe - Fort Meade, Md

Probably the most memorable, but not the best, song from Elvis' legendary 1969 Memphis sessions, although it's great. Those sessions also produced In the Ghetto, Kentucky Rain and Don't Cry Daddy. It also resulted in incredible Elvis songs like Wearin' That Loved On Look, Long Black Limousine, Rubberneckin', and an awesome, awesome version of Neil Diamond's And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind.

FYC? It's not a terrible remake, but that dude's voice doesn't do it for me. The FYC singer did this live on David Letterman's show back in the late 80s. He said Elvis came to him in a dream and told him to remake this song. There are so many funny comebacks to that, but the statement itself is funny enough.David - Youngstown, Oh

Sorry, but I like the Fine Young Cannibals version better, as it has more power!Miles - Vancouver, Canada

In a video clip I saw, as he was going down into the splits, he sang "I hope this suit don't tear up baby" instead of "Because I love you too much baby".Jay - Atlanta, Ga

This song is best when it features that false fade (when it fades down, then comes back with "we're caught in a trap..."). I love that! The version we have at my station doesn't have that for some reason. ???James - Vidalia, Ga

I know this is going to sound like a lie, but I know the guy who wrote this song. His name is Francis Zambon. He thought his name was too ethnic (he's Italian), so he changed his name to Mark James. He had a band in the early days called Mark James and the Mark James Trio. My Dad was the bass player and back ground vocals for the band. Mark wrote the song about the breakup of his first marriage. Almost ever song he writes is based on a life experience. I have a lot of background on songs he has written for Elvis, Mac Davis and BJ Thomas.Bridgett - Fort Worth, Tx

In his final years he did not sing it anymore. Many people will say because he was fat and couldn´t handle it but the truth is he just got tired of it. You can see there is alot of difference between songs in his Vegas period and in his final two years. Both are great but differ a bit.SigurbjÃ¶rn - KeflavÃ?k, Iceland

This is The King's best track ever. One of its main ingredients is how its drummer carries it (D.J. Fontana?). Also, it's an Elvis song where those of us, and there are many, can do the "uh hungh" and "hungah hungah" accents to the lyrics.

elvis is the king, julio you need to take a step back and listen to way it is sung. Its not a pop song. fyc have just remixed and killed a great song.Dazza - London, England

LOL... to bring FYC into a discussion of an Elvis classic... you are hilarious!!!Cerphr - Florida, Fl

Harvey Keitel gives a nice performance of this song in the movie "Finding Graceland"Steveo - Vienna, Austria

I have a songbook in which this song should be from Francis Zambon?? Wise Publications, Elvis 30 HitsGerhard - Krems, Austria

Elvis often altered the lyrics to this song in a funny way during live performances. Instead of "or dry the tears from your eyes" he sometimes sang "or dry the sweat from my eyes" because he was sweating heavily while giving his all singing this song. After the line "You know I never lied to you", he sometimes added "No, not much..."Michael - Cologne, Germany

Fine Young Cannibals version was much betterJulio - Melbourne, Australia

Haha for some reason I love this song.Brian - Paoli, In

this song is my fav it just sounds so goodWilliam Leslie - Canberra, Australia

One of the funniest lines inserted by Elvis was during his live from Madison Square Garden recording. After singing the line "So if an old friend I know" he whispers low "shoves it up your nose". On live performances after that such as Aloha from Hawaii, you can see him almost snicker when he sings the line even though he doesn't add the funny line.Keith - Cincinnati, Oh